vulture

noun

vul·​ture ˈvəl-chər 

1

: any of various large birds (families Accipitridae and Cathartidae) that are related to the hawks, eagles, and falcons but have weaker claws and the head usually naked and that subsist chiefly or entirely on carrion

2

: a rapacious or predatory person

vulturish

ˈvəl-chə-rish 

adjective

Synonyms of vulture

• predator
• vampire

Examples of vulture in a Sentence

As soon as they learned of his arrest, the media vultures started circling.

noted that the paparazzi are vultures who could not exist without the connivance of the tabloid-buying public

Recent Examples on the Web

The cougar would have done a good job of stripping off the main parts, then vultures and smaller animals would have cleaned up the leftovers. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

Ratio relievers *Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios. —Greg Jewett, New York Times, 21 May 2026

While riding the property, Rip spots vultures circling overhead and goes to investigate, only to discover Wes' remains. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026

The scene has turned into a vulture’s paradise. —Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vultur, from Anglo-French, from Latin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vulture

• bearded vulture
• turkey vulture
• vulture capitalism

Rhymes for vulture

• culture
• kultur
• agriculture
• apiculture
• aquaculture
• counterculture
• floriculture
• horticulture
• mariculture
• monoculture
• sericulture
• silviculture

Kids Definition

vulture

noun

vul·​ture ˈvəl-chər 

1

: any of various large birds that feed mostly on animals found dead and that are related to the hawks and eagles but have weaker claws and the head usually naked

2

: a greedy or predatory person